Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-03-03


Following Is the platform after aIengthy
Of the party shall be the union labor par
ty:"
First-Land: Every human being pos
sesses a natural inalienable right to suffi-
Gent land for self-support, and we desire
to secure, to every industrial citizen
home, as the highest result of free institu-
tions. To this end we demand a graduated
land tax on all large estates. especially
those held for speculative or tentent pur-
poses; the reclamation OF all unearned
land grants; the immediate opening of
Oklahoma to homestead settlement; the
purchase of all unoccupied Indian lands,
and the settlement of the various tribes
upon lands in severalty; also laws pre-
venting corporations from acquiring real
estate beyond the re quirements of their
business, and alien ownership of land.
The systems of irrigation in states and
territories where necessary, shall be under
such public control as shall secure the free
and equitable use of the waters ard fran
chises to the people.
Second Transportation: The means Of
communication and transportation should
be owned or controlled by the people, as is
the United States postal system, and
equitable rates everywhere established.
Ihird-Money: The establishment of a
national monetary system in the interest
OF the producer instead of the Spectator
and ursurer, by which circulating me-
dunn in necessary quantity and full legal
tender shall be issued directly to the peo-
pie without the Intervention of banks. or
loaned to citizens upon ample security at
low rate of interest to relieve them from
the extortion OF ursury and enable them
70 control the money supply. Postal saw
ings banks should be established While
we have free coinage OF gold we should
have free coinage of silver. We demand
the prompt payment of the national debt
and condemn the further issuance of
Understanding bonds, either by the ma
tional government or by states, territories
counties or municipalities.
Fourth-Labor: Arbitration should take
the place of strikes and other injurious
methods of settling labor disputes; the let
ting of convict labor to contractors be
prohibited; the contract system be abro-
gated in public works; the hours of labor
in industrial establishment, be reduced.
commensurate with the increase of pro-
duction in labor saving machin-
cry; employees be protected from
bodily injury; equal pay be given for
equal work for both sexes, and labor, agri-
cultural and cooperative associations be
fostered and Incorporated by law. The
foundation of republics is the intelligence
of its citizens, and children who are driven
into workshops mines and factories are
deprived of education, which should be
secured to all by proper legislation. We
desire to see labor organizations extend
throughout all civilized countries until it
shall be impossible for despots to array
the workingmen OF one country in war
against their brother of another country.
Fifth-Solders and Sailors: In appre.
citation of the services of United States
soldiers and sailors, we demand for them
justice before charity.
SjNth-lncome tax: A graduated income
tax Is the most equitable system OF taxa
ton, placing the burden of government on
those no can best afford to pay, instead OF
laying il on the farmers and producers, and
exempting millionaire landholders and
corporations.
Seventh-United States senate: The cap
ture of the United States senate by million
aires and tools of corporations who have no
sympathy with free institutions threatens
the very existence of the republic. We
demand constitutional amendment max
ing United States senator's elective by a
direct vote of the people.
The eighth section demands exclusion OF
the Chinese, and denounces the employ
ment of Pinkerton men. The next section,
on temperance, says excessive wealth, re-
sulting in luxury and idleness on the one
I hand and excessive toll and poverty on
the other, leads to intemperance and vice.
The measures of reform here demanded
will prove to be the scientific solution OF
the temperance question.
There was a minority report on the liquor
plank favoring n clear-cut prohibitory
resolution, but this was laid on the table.
Mrs. Severance offered a suffrage plank,
which was adopted. 1t declares that 1.-The
right TO vote il inherent to citizenship ir-
respective Of SEX"